Log-hook



No. 626,946. Patented Julie l3, I899.

J. n. VAUGHAN.

LOG HOOK.

(Application filed Aug. 10, '1898.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES DICKSON VAUGHAN, OF FORDYCE, ARKANSAS.

LOG-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 626,946, dated June 13,1899.

Application filed August 10, 1898. Serial No. 688,242. (N0 m de -l T0 (0whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES DICKSON VAUGHAN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Ford yce, in the county of Dallas and State ofArkansas, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Log-Hooks;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

In the use of chains for binding logs, lumber, and the like upon wagonsand cars it is common to employ ahook upon one end thereof which isadapted to engage one of the links of the chain. As the logs or lumberspread apart in being transported, however, great difficulty has beenexperienced in disconnecting the hook from the chain owing to the greatstrain to which the chain and hook are subjected. The usual method ofdiscone necting the hook from the link at such times is by forcing thesame through the agency of an ax or other like instrument. This is aptto break the hook or bend it into such form that it is thereafteruseless.

Certain inventions have been made to overcome the objections abovenoted, but all of them with which I am acquainted are difficult tomanipulate and ineffective in securing the ends of the chains together.

Myinvention is designed for the production of a hook for the purposeabove set forth which may be readily attached to any of the links of thechain, will be held securely in locked position when so attached, andwhich pivoted between said standards and provided with a nose adapted toengage the rearwardlyextending branch of the hook proper.

In the accompanying drawings,Figure 1 represents a side elevation of myimproved hook in looking position. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the samein its unlocked position. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 4 is aplan View.

Like reference-numerals indicate like parts in the different views.

My improved device is made up of a body 1, having an eye 2 at one end,to which one end of the chain is connected, a pair of angularly-arrangedupwardly-extending parallel lugs or extensions 3 3 at the opposite endand a pair of parallel upwardly-extending lugs or standards 4 4 at apoint intermediate of its ends. Pivoted to the parallel extensions 3 ata point intermediate of its ends and located between said extensions isthe hook proper, 5, consisting of an integral bar having arounded outeredge and a slot 6 therein, forming two branches, one constituting anengaging portion 7 and the other a rearwardly-project- -ing arm 8. Theextreme end of said arm 8 is cut away or beveled, as shown at 9, for apurpose which will hereinafter appear. Pivoted to the lugs or standards4 and located between them is a locking-lever 10, having arearwardly-extendin g handle 11 and a head 12, provided with aneccentric or cam-shaped nose or olfset 13.

When it is desired to couple one end of the log-chain with the other,the handle 12 of the operating-lever is elevated, one of the links ofthe chain inserted into the slot 6, and the hook proper, 5, swungrearwardly until the arm 8 thereof passes between the lugs or standards4, with its lower edge resting upon the upper surface of the body 1. Thehandle of the operating-lever 10 is then swung downwardly, bringing thenose 13 on the head thereof into engagement with the inclined or beveledface 9 of the arm 8. Any outward strain uponthe hook 5 is resisted bythe eccentric nose on the lever 10, which nose is located at a point onsaid lever opposite the pivotal connection between it and the lugs 4 andopposite the handle 11. It is therefore impossible for the hook tobecome accidentally disconnected from the link without an upwardmovement of the operating-lever. When it is desired to uncouple the endsof the chain, it is merely necessary to raise the handle 11 of the lever10, when the hook 5 will move in the direction of the strain exertedupon it by the chain, enabling the link of the chain to slip freely fromthe slot 6.

The parallel extensions 3 and standards 4 serve not only as means forpivoting the hook proper and operating-lever to the body, but also serveto guide the hook proper in its movement and to prevent lateraldisplacement thereof when the same is in its locked position.

Having now described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. A hook comprisingabody, a hook proper pivoted thereto, and alocking-lever having a cam-shaped nose adapted to clamp the hook properagainst the body.

2. A hook comprising a body, a hook proper pivoted thereto at a pointintermediate of its ends, one of the branches thereof having an inclinedor beveled surface, and a lockinglever having an eccentric engagingportion- In testimony whereof I affix my signature 35 in presence of twowitnesses.

JAMES DIOKSON VAUGHAN.

Witnesses:

J. A. VVATERS, J. W. COFFIELD.

